Desmond Richardson News

The National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) is proud to announce new creative and professional development opportunities for its network of 20,000 alumni—exceptionally talented artists across the visual, literary and performing arts. The organization's growing roster of programs to support artists throughout their careers includes YoungArts at Ted's, a new performance series that offers the public the chance to experience exceptional programs in an intimate setting, and Up Next Focus, an extension of the successful Up Next professional development program. Additionally, YoungArts announces that Yusha-Marie Sorzano (2000 Young Arts Winner in Dance) has been named the 2019 Dance Artist in Residence at the YoungArts Campus and Lee Pivnik (2014 YoungArts Winner in Visual Arts) is the next Bay Parc Apartments Resident Artist.

 Linda Shelton, Executive Director of The Joyce Theater Foundation, announced today the New York City dance organization's programming for its Fall '19 Winter '20 season, the first in collaboration with The Joyce's new Director of Programming, Aaron Mattocks. With dance styles from contemporary and modern to street and social, and traditional movement from Argentina, India, Spain, Samoa, and beyond, The Joyce continues to lead the way in international dance presentations while nurturing and supporting artists from all disciplines at every stage of their careers. The New York City organization, one of the world's largest presenters of dance, is especially excited to announce that live music will be featured during each and every engagement from the start of the season through the end of 2019. Fall '19/Winter '20 at The Joyce will be a true celebration of diversity in dance with programs and styles that encompass the wide range of aesthetic interests of both its artists and audiences.

The National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) announced that applications for the 2020 YoungArts competition will be accepted beginning today, June 4, through October 11, 2019 at youngarts.org/apply. Approximately 700 of the country's most accomplished 15- to 18-year-old artists will be selected through a blind adjudication process and provided with lifelong support through funding, mentorship, community, and creative and professional development opportunities.

Geffen Playhouse raised more than $1.3 million for the theater's education, community engagement and artistic initiatives at its 17th annual Backstage at the Geffen fundraiser held May 19, it was announced today. Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon franchise, The Color Purple, Dreamgirls) presented the Artistic Impact Award for Harry Belafonte, which was accepted by daughter Gina Belafonte on his behalf, and Jane Fonda (Grace & Frankie, Book Club, 9 to 5) presented the Distinction in Theater Award to Lily Tomlin.

The National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) congratulates the 55th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars, with special acknowledgement to the 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts who are YoungArts winners. The U.S. Presidential Scholars award one of the nation's highest honors for high school students who exemplify academic excellence is presented on behalf of the President of the United States and honors up to 161 graduating high school seniors of high potential each year. The U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts (full list below) were nominated by YoungArts to The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars and selected based on academic and artistic excellence, leadership qualities and community service. For students who would like to be considered for this outstanding honor in the future, the YoungArts application opens on June 4, 2019 at youngarts.org/apply.

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (LCPA) marks the 60th anniversary of the center's groundbreaking this May, continuing weekend-long celebrations with the 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee Gala on Sunday, May 5. The event will honor four families who have had a transformative influence on Lincoln Center: the Audrey and Martin Gruss Family, the Rockefeller Family, the Daisy and Paul Soros Family, and the Laurie M. Tisch Family. As Lincoln Center renews its commitment to supporting a thriving campus for the next generation, funds raised will help benefit the organization's artistic and educational activities which reach millions every year on campus and beyond.

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts marks the 60th anniversary of the center's groundbreaking this May, continuing weekend-long celebrations with the 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee Gala on Sunday, May 5. The event will honor four families who have had a transformative influence on Lincoln Center: the Audrey and Martin Gruss Family, the Rockefeller Family, the Daisy and Paul Soros Family, and the Laurie M. Tisch Family. As Lincoln Center renews its commitment to supporting a thriving campus for the next generation, funds raised will help benefit the organization's artistic and educational activities which reach millions every year on campus and beyond.

The Joyce Theater catapults its scintillating 2019 season that encapsulates an entire spectrum of contemporary international movement with a renowned and acclaimed audience-favorite, COMPLEXIONS Contemporary Ballet.

In celebration of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 60th Anniversary, Ailey Extension invites people to experience the life, legacy, and artistry of Alvin Ailey through intimate panels and workshops led by his illustrious former dancers. Sylvia Waters will moderate the Growing Up with Alvin Ailey Legacy Panel on December 10, featuring former Ailey stars Sarita Allen, Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish, and Desmond Richardson as they share personal stories, individual experiences, and life lessons learned during their tenure dancing for the legendary founder. On January 5, what would have been Alvin Ailey's 88th birthday, Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison leads an exclusive Celebrating Alvin Ailey Workshop to share cherished memories of Mr. Ailey and teach some of his most well-known choreography.

Last night, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 60th Anniversary holiday season at New York City Center kicked off with a star-studded Opening Night Gala Benefit performance and party led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, with iconic film stars Angela Bassett and Cicely Tyson as honorary chairs. Prudential Financial received the Ailey Legacy Honor for their generous support and commitment to Ailey, especially its education and community programs. The award was presented by Battle and Christopher Taylor, an alumnus of the inaugural AileyCamp Newark (2011) and a current scholarship student at The Ailey School, and accepted by Lata Reddy, Senior Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion and Impact at Prudential Financial.

FirstWorks Artistic Icons Series Brings World Class Performances by Black Violin and Complexions Contemporary Ballet to Providence in April 2019

Alberta Bair Theater's First Interstate Bank Fox Series continues with Complexions Contemporary Ballet's "Bach to Bowie" on Tuesday, October 30 at 7:30 p.m.  A truncated performance, part of ABT's Valley Federal Credit Union Student Matinee Series, begins at 12:30.

That is the freedom that I spoke about earlier. Never let the body restrict you. Human bodies have the potential to do anything, if we develop them correctly. Even the most inhuman pointe technique can be something extraordinarily modern. The time they spent on pointe, and the motions they created while en pointe were much longer and more challenging than those typically performed in classical ballet.

When Alvin Ailey and a small group of African-American modern dancers first took the stage in 1958, appearing at New York City's 92nd Street Y, the engagement was for one night only—but it turned out to be the start of a new era in the performing arts. Mr. Ailey became one of the groundbreaking greats in African American history, while the work of his Company grew beyond the limits of the stage to encompass education at all levels, community outreach and cultural diplomacy. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater now embodies six decades of achievement, celebrating the human spirit with performances that unite and inspire all.

Alberta Bair Theater has added four additional shows since the season preview for its stakeholders on May 24:  for fans of 60's rock: Felix Cavaliere & Gene Cornish's RASCALS with special guest Carmine Appice on drums on Friday, September 7 at 7:30; for fans of 80's rock and Broadway musicals: ROCK OF AGES on Monday, November 19 at 7:30;  for a fun ladies night out during the holidays: 'Twas a Girls Night Before Christmas on Friday, December 14 at 7:30;  and for family entertainment at its best the multi Tony awarded THE SOUND OF MUSIC on Monday, April 8 and Tuesday, April 9, both at 7:30.

The National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) has announced that applications to become a 2019 YoungArts winner will be accepted beginning today, June 5, through October 12, 2018. YoungArts identifies and nurtures the nation's most accomplished emerging artists in the visual, literary, design and performing arts between the ages of 15 and 18 or in high school grades 10-12.

It's that time once again as Music Hall once again presents one of the most influential and innovative Dance Companies in America, Complexions Contemporary Ballet-Sunday, Jun 17 at 4PM on the Main Stage, which will close out The Detroit Music Weekend celebration.

The Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance, part of the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts at Wayne State University, continues its commitment to excellence by providing the highest caliber of dance training with its Complexions Detroit Summer Intensive, June 16- 29, 2018.

Magic Reality Group, a Miami-based international production company, announced today the world premier of a new and unique production December 7-8, 2018at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County. Sleeping Beauty Dreams, a contemporary art exploration of the age-old fable, will feature global prima ballerina Diana Vishneva performing as Princess Aurora and Tony Award nominee Desmond Richardson dancing as Prince Peter.

In just two weeks, Capezio Dance Foundation presents: Capezio celebrates 130 years of excellence in a one-night only special Awards and show on Monday, May 14, 2018 at 7:30 pm at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 361 Symphony Park Avenue, Las Vegas NV 89106. A glorious production will highlight some of the magical history of Capezio with numerous dance legends and stars of stage and screen saluting this milestone. Savion Glover the Tony Award winner dancer, choreographer and actor joins this special event. The show is produced and directed by Ann Marie DeAngelo. The show benefts The Actors Fund and Future Dance (a program sponsored by Nevada Ballet Theatre).